EO Impact Zone, A Guide for HR Leaders
Memorandum for Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies
Temporary Pause of Agency Grants, Loan, and Other Financial Assistance Programs
Starting at 5:00 pm January 28, 2025, all federal agencies must pause granting or disbursing funds through financial assistance programs (like grants and loans) to align with the new Administration’s priorities, focusing taxpayer dollars to advance a stronger and safer America, eliminating the financial burden of inflation for citizens, unleashing American energy and manufacturing, ending “wokeness” and the weaponization of government, promoting efficiency in government, and Making America Healthy Again.
Exceptions may be granted by the Office of Management and Budget on a case-by-case basis. This pause is meant to ensure taxpayer dollars align with the Administration’s priorities.
Federal agencies are required to:
- Review Programs: Analyze all programs to ensure they support the Administration’s goals, such as reducing inflation, promoting American energy, and eliminating "wasteful" spending (e.g., DEI, gender ideology, and green policies).
- Pause Funding: Temporarily stop new awards, ongoing funding, and related activities unless legally required, while submitting detailed reports to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) by February 10, 2025.
- Oversight and Adjustments: Assign political appointees to oversee compliance, revise program goals, withdraw funding announcements if they conflict with priorities, and investigate underperforming recipients.